Behind the Scenes

Meet the crew that puts it all together for TJ.

Zizzo Racing Team – 2014

TJ Zizzo – Driver

TJ is the man behind the wheel as well as the team manager. He’s been on the team for 34 years and has loved every minute of it. His biggest accomplishments in his eyes have been reaching reaching the Semi-Finals at Seattle in the NHRA event in 2013, finishing 2nd in the IHRA Championship points, and winning the hole shot at the US Nationals in 2010. TJ is a family man who spends as much time with his wife Jennifer, daughter Madeline and son Nicolas as possible. Though he is always working he loves spending his time with the rest of his supremely dedicated team. To help him relax he enjoys his Grandma’s pasta and gravy to eat and listening to anything except country.

Tony Zizzo – Owner

Tony is the owner of the team and has been going at it for 34 years now. A man of the sport, his career highlights all include winning races in the alcohol class and building race cars in his free time. When he’s not with the team, you will find him with his fiance Cathie. If he has his way, they will be eating pizza and listening to the Beach Boys. If he’s not working, he’s at the Race Shop, something that helps him build respect from other teams that he enjoys.

Mike Kern – Crew Chief

Mike is the guy at the helms, overseeing the rest of the crew. He has been with the team for 11 years now and has devoted himself to it. He’s a single guy, but has a sister and three nephews and a niece. If he’s not working with the team, he’s catching up on quality sleep in his own bed. When it comes to his accomplishments, he’s most proud of the 2007 IHRA TF Runner-Up when he was the Assistant Crew Chief then turning into the Crew Chief in 2008. He also relishes the teams 2013 NHRA Northwest National Semi-Finalist position. Mike enjoys the finer things of thin crust pizza, Portillo’s Beef Sandwiches and Lasagna. He rocks out to ’80’s hair bands and rock and thoroughly enjoys ‘slaying the giants of drag racing with a perpetual “apprentice” team.’

Tony Smith – Clutch Specialist

Tony is a 23-year veteran of the Zizzo Racing Team working as the Clutch Specialist. A family man with his wife Stacey, they have two daughters Kyla and Layla and also have a son, Tysen. Tony enjoys spending as much time with his family as he can, playing Gran Turismo, coaching basketball and watching classic movies. His most memorable moment in his career is the 2000 UDRA Alky Dragster Championship. Being part of a top-notch professional team keeps him motivated along with his love for Led Zepplin, The Who and steak and tacos.

Rick Messmore – Car Chief

Rick is the Car Chief for Zizzo Racing and has been with the team for 8 years. When he’s not working with the team, you can most likely find him riding his Honda Gold Wing. He has a wife Tina and daughter Lizzie. You can find him eating ice cream as it is his favorite food, and probably listening to some rock like AC/DC. If he’s not working, he’s probably working. Devoted to the sport, you will often times find him at the Race Shop since he works with a crew that he enjoys to be around.

Matt Blager – Supercharger

Matt is the man behind the Supercharger. He’s been on the team since 2011 and the highlight of his career so far has been reaching the Semi-Finals in Seattle in 2013. When he’s not with the team, you will find him spending time with his wife and daughter and riding his motorcycle. He views his team members of Zizzo Racing as a second family and devotes much of his time and efforts to the team. His go to food is Sushi and he listens to Pink Floyd to get him going.

Luke Anderson – Pistons and Rods

Luke is the man you will find working the bottom end. He has been with the team for nearly two years and is ecstatic about finding a permanent place with Zizzo Racing. Even without having much free time away from working with the team, Luke enjoys fishing and playing the piano when he does. To keep himself motivated, you’ll find him listening to some Rockabilly and EDM (electronic dance music). And when he finds the time to grab his favorite food, he heads out for a Chipotle burrito.

Joe Cluts – Cylinder Heads & Engine

Joe spends his time working on the cylinder heads and short blocks. He has been with Zizzo Racing for 10 years now with his career highlight being the Semi-Finals in Seattle. Along with his wife, Lisa, Joe enjoys being with her and working on his Mustang in his garage when he’s not working with the team. He enjoys pizza and anything with buffalo chicken. He stays motivated by listening to hip-hop music. The best thing about working on the team for him is all the awesome people he has met along the way.

Chris Schneider – Clutch Assistant & Car Assembly

Chris Shneider, AKA ‘Silver Fox’, has been with the team for five years and works as the Clutch Assistant and runs the car assembly. His main drive is to consistently qualify for every event. In his free time, Chris loves to spend time with his daughters Alison and Rachel and watch movies with them. You will also find him sneaking away to go fishing. If he hasn’t caught any fish for dinner, his meal of choice is King Crab Legs. To keep him motivated, he listens to Fear Factory, Slipknot and Eminem. Chris loves to work with his awesome crew members, and when he’s not there, he enjoys staying at home to relax.

Mike Adams – Tires & Wheels

Mike is the wheels and tires guy. He loves his hip hop and metal to get him going and keep him motivated. He’s been on the team for 5 years now and enjoys being part of a crew he calls his friends. You can find him catching up on the latest Promod Drag Racing news and enjoying some Mexican food or breakfast when he has time. His career highlights include: Qualifying 7th at Vegas in 2010, Fastest E.T. at Sonoma in 2013 and reaching the Semi-Finals in Seattle of 2013.

Ricky Dale – Cylinder Heads

Ricky has been a part of the Zizzo Racing team for six years and works on the cylinder heads. His career highlight is being a part of a 3.7 second top fuel team. He enjoys spending time at his cabin when he can with his wife Kathryn (married for 31 years!) and his kids Justin and Bethany. He is also expecting his first grandson this December! Ricky likes a hearty diet of venison, pheasant, brats and pizza and jamming out to Allan Jackson, Zac Brown Band, Garth Brooks along with other country music which goes well with his likes for classic rock such as AC/DC and Rush. He loves working with the team and seeing the dedication all of his team members have towards the same goals.

Martin Rosales – Utility

Martin joined up with the Zizzo Racing Team this year and has been moving quickly to learn and adapt to the sport and team. He enjoys playing sports, such as soccer when he’s not working with the team. You will also find him with his wife Kelly and their two children.

Ryan Serkowski – Utility

Ryan works with the team as a Utility Assistant and has been with Zizzo Racing for two years. His career highlight is this year’s Indy races. When he finds some free time, he enjoys fishing, going to school and spending time washing the “garage queen”. He enjoys a good BBQ and listening to country music and classic rock. If you don’t see him working, he’s probably at the gym or at the fire house. Ryan loves working with the Zizzo Racing Team and calls them his second family, with it being his home away from home.

Cathie Gallo – Hospitality & Fan Relations

Cathie has been running with the boys for nearly 13 years and working her butt off taking care of team travel, hotel and food arrangements to go along with corresponding with fans. Her career highlight is running a 3.79 and she couldn’t be more proud of the team. When she gets some time away from the team, Cathie loves to travel and spend time with her family. Her family including her fiancee, two children Rick and Bryan and granddaughter Giana. When it comes to grub, she enjoys a nice lobster, crab and mushrooms, but most of all a primo Lou Malnati’s Pizza. Her music taste is a little bit of everything. Her favorite thing about the team is watching them grow from good to great!